Background

Duty Station: Home based (with one visit to Astana city, Kazakhstan)

Period of assignment/services:  July 2017 - August 2017, part-time

Proposal should be submitted by email to: procurement.kz@undp.org  with the indication of Ref.2017-0037 in the subject line not later than June 25, 2017

Any request for clarification must be sent in writing or by standard electronic communication to the following e-mail syrym.nurgaliyev@undp.org copying meruyert.bolyssayeva@undp.org

The Terms of Reference, the Procurement Notice and the list of documentation needed to support your application could be found here: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=38425   No applications will be accepted via UNDP's job-site.

Background:

The project addresses the development challenge through integrated activities directed at these barriers. The core focus will be the implementation of minimum energy performance standards (MEPS), which have a growing track record of achieving large-scale savings throughout the world.  The project will also support the introduction of voluntary high-efficiency performance standards (HEPS) in conjunction with product labelling and government procurement rules.  Enforcement of both MEPS and HEPS will be carried out by accredited certification laboratories, which the project will support with methodological guidance and needed equipment.  The project will also conduct supporting market research, informational outreach and technical support to residential and industrial consumers.

The project consists of integrated activities placed under the following four components:

1. Development and adoption of EESL
2. Monitoring, verification, and enforcement
3. Boosting demand for energy efficient appliances and equipment
4. Ensuring supply of products compliant with EESL.

The inception period is crucial to building ownership for the project results and to plan the first-year annual work plan. During the inception period with participation of engaged international consultant the project partners have an opportunity to understand the project concept, to discuss roles, functions and responsibilities within the decision-making structures, including the communication channels and reporting relationships, conflicts resolution mechanisms. Initially, the current situation is analyzed within project implementation context and based on real situation the conclusions and recommendations are drafted for clarification of implementation of specific project components. In particular this is applied to such project components whereby the situation has significantly changed since the period of Project Document preparation.

At this time, the key terms of references for the key consultants are being drafted and discussed to implement the project initial phase, the first project annual work plan is drafted, and indicators, performance targets and verification measures are revised and approved.

According to the Project Document and under the established regulations for implementation of GEF Projects the international experts are engaged to participate at the initial phase of the project and at the inception workshop.

 Based on above-said, the engaged international consultant should pay attention to analysis of planned implementation of Project Components, providing the required recommendations to the Project Implementation Team (PIT). Thus, for implementation of all the above-mentioned actions within the inception period there is need in engagement of international consultant with significant experience in preparation, implementation and funding energy efficient projects. This engaged consultant will be responsible for drafting the inception report under UNDP/GEF Project in cooperation with PIT, for drafting the number of ToRs within the initial stage of project implementation and for participation in a range of the project events, including the inception workshop in Astana.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective:

Participation in the inception phase of UNDP/GEF Project, including drafting of initial report, drafting the number of ToRs for engagement of expertize at the initial stage of project implementation and participation in initial Project events.

Main Functions:

•             Provide management oversight for project as required and recommend actions that focus work plans on achieving key milestones in a timely manner;

•             Recommend special expertise to be deployed on the Project to assist in its achievement of key milestones, and provide the interface between Project team and key specialist consultants, both domestic and international when appropriate;

•             Provide technical support to the Projects Manager to go through and finalize the Inception phase of the Project. In essence, the responsibility of the IC is to ensure that the overall technical direction of the project in this phase is maintained and flexibly adapted to meet the practical challenges faced during implementation.

Scope of work:  

1. Review the project document against components, outputs and activities and, in discussion with the Project team and key project partners, identify the potential gaps/areas that need to be re-examined in the inception phase.
2. Support project management: planning, quality management, monitoring and evaluation. Based on project Logical Framework, prepare and help PMU assure the effective implementation of the project impact-oriented M&E plan.
3. Prepare recommendations on strengthening institutional and technical capacities of the Project, know-how recommendations for the all components. To hold consultations with RTA and PM, to meet with key national partners in Astana (Kazakhstan).  Also to provide strategic advice on the overall project implementation strategy to Project Board and PM.
4. Jointly with Project Manager to draft the Project Inception Report, which contains of recommendations on achievement of outcomes, outputs and activities including project work plan and monitoring and evaluation plan and to provide specific consultancy services at least during the first year of the project., including overview of changes in project environment, summary and justification for revision in Project Logical Framework, M&E plan, Risk Log, QA/QC provisions and quarterly annual work plan and budget.
5. To support the project manager in arranging co-operation with the current project partners and, as applicable, in establishing new, additional national and/or international partnerships to support the project goals and objectives and including support to the UNDP in the preparation of the Project Inception Workshop in Astana.
6. To carry out risk assessment and prepare risk mitigation plan, ensuring that risk mitigation actions are incorporated in the project work plan.
7. Jointly with Project Manager and based on inputs from national experts prepare Project Inception Report, including overview of changes in project environment, summary and justification for revision in Project Logical Framework, Monitoring and evaluation plan, Risk Log, QA/QC provisions and quarterly annual work plan and budget for 2017-2022 in full compliance and in the format presented by the PMU.

Note: by performance of each above points, the materials/reports should be submitted to Project Manager (PM) for commenting. In case of comments, the expert has to finalize the materials in compliance with the comments and/or to discuss these comments via e-mail and forward the final ones to the PM.

Competencies

Required competences:

• Strong analytical skills;
• Planning and organization;
• Team work;
• Ability to perform well under pressure and flexibility in handling unexpected work assignments as and when necessary.

Languages:

• Fluency in English;
• Proficiency in Russian is a significant advantage

Required Skills and Experience

• At least master degree in the field of engineering, energy saving, energy efficiency, or natural sciences;
• 5 years minimum of work experience in preparation of reviews, project documents, concept papers related to energy efficiency and energy saving;
• 5 years minimum of work experience with international projects (UNDP, TACIS, EU, etc.); 
• Knowledge of GEF and UNDP procedures for the assessment of the outcomes;
• Prior working experience in Kazakhstan and CIS or knowledge of its current socio-economic situation would be an advantage;
• Excellent communication skills and experience in conducting technical presentations with a variety of stakeholders;
• Good knowledge of Excel, Word, Power Point, and Web navigation